Breast reduction

Steven Wallach, MD answers: Excess flab on sides after Breast Reduction

I had Breast Reduction around five years ago, followed by a lot of complicatons (which were fixed by another doctor). Now, I'm concerned about the excess flab on my sides from the surgery. It's really bothersome if i don't put a bra on, or if I wear certian kinds of bra. Are there any procedures for fixing this? If so, is it possible for such procedures to be covered by insurance?


Steven Wallach, MD
7 months ago

It sounds like you are complaining about the fatty tissue that is lateral to your native breast.  This tissue can be treated by direct excision or liposuction or sometimes both.  This is something that would have to be evaluated in person. 

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A: Excess flab can probably be cleaned up easily with a touch up

George J. Beraka, MD
9 months ago

To pwincess79,

Hi! You may need either liposuction, or some skin removal, or both.This can usually be done under local anesthesia as an out-patient procedure. However, your insurance will probably not cover it.

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A: Liposuction will help with the excess flab after breast reduction

David Shafer, MD
9 months ago

Oftentimes with breast reduction surgery we combine liposuction at the time of surgery to help with the lateral (sides) which are full. It is also possible to the liposuction as a secondary procedure at a later time. Unfortunately, I doubt the insurance company will pay for the procedure now as a secondary case. The other option may be Smartlipo done in the office. it is all depends how much tissue needs to be removed. Good luck.

A: Not an uncommon complaint

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
9 months ago

Pwincess,

Yours is not that uncommon of a complaint from post breast reduction patients. I will be frank with you, and not having examined you, you may or may not fall into the category of patients to which I am referring. 

Many breast reduction patients, in addition to having very large breasts, are overweight.  This usually results in "rolls" of fatty tissue that extend to the sides of the chest wall lateral to the breast. These "rolls" are NOT part of the breast and therefore are not removed during a breast reduction. So, they persist and even, stand out against the newly reduced and tightened breast. 

The excess "flab" can be removed with liposuction and/or surgical excision, which would result in either new or extension of the scars. This procedure is usually considered cosmetic and is not covered by insurance carriers. Another option, if you are overweight, is to lose some weight, which may help to reduce the "flab". Good luck!

A: The Batwings should be part of any Breast reduction

Robert M. Freund, MD
9 months ago

Many woman are faced with large breasts that extend around the chest wall onto the back. There can be excess fat, breast tissue and skin in these areas. Surgery can include liposuction (good if there is minimal excess skin) or surgical excision of the skin and fat/breast tissue. The breast reduction just makes this area look worse by narrowing the base of the breast and thus higjliting the batwings!

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